foreign affairs

American  

plural noun

1. activities of a nation in its relationships with other nations; international relations.

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foreign affairs British  

plural noun

1. matters abroad that involve the homeland, such as relations with another country

2. matters that do not involve the homeland

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Etymology

Origin of foreign affairs

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Cedric Perrin, chief of the foreign affairs and defence committee at the French Senate, said that Macron "was the only one who still believed in the survival of FCAS."

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Lily Wright is a graduate of the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she studied journalism and foreign affairs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Americans are in a cynical mood on foreign affairs, and many wonder why the U.S. should make sacrifices for an island some 6,000 miles away from Seattle.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

At the same time, he possessed a sophisticated worldview and a deep grasp of foreign affairs.

From Salon • May 14, 2026

“By the end of the meeting,” Haldeman remembered, “Nixon was as angry as his foreign affairs chief. The thought that an alleged weirdo was blatantly challenging the president infuriated him.”

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin